Vehicle mounted large bale loading, transporting and unloading system

ABSTRACT

A large bale loading, transporting and unloading method and apparatus including a wheeled vehicle having a flatbed with a longitudinal conveyor and a cross-bed conveyor for unloading bales laterally from the side of the flatbed. A tine carrying frame or bed is movable to a vertical position against a bale stack and bale engaging tines are actuated to hold the bales against the frame. The frame is returned to the horizontal position for either transport or lateral unloading. In one embodiment the longitudinal and cross-bed conveyors and the tine structures are carried on a flatbed beneath the surface thereof. In a second embodiment the longitudinal conveyor and tine structures are mounted on top of the bed. Apparatus is disclosed for selectively cutting off flakes or segments of the bale as it is discharged laterally.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, under U.S.C. 120 of pending U.S.application Ser. No. 09/370,359, filed Aug. 9, 1999. This application isa Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/370,359, filed Aug. 9,1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,520 B1 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 06/095,991 filed Aug. 10, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the handling of large bales of bulkmaterial such as hay or silage with or without a containing wrap. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to the handling of extremely largebales of the type described which are too heavy to be handled manually,and in particular, large rectangular cross section hay bales. The systemincludes the pick-up and moving or the loading of such bales onto thebed of a truck or other vehicle and subsequently unloading the bales fordistribution as with range or bunk feeding of cattle or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In recent years the trend in preserving hay in bales has been towardincreasingly large size bales, far beyond the ability for manualhandling. One approach is the production of large round bales severalfeet in diameter in the form of a layered roll which can then be pastureor range fed to cattle by simply unrolling the bale on the ground. Thefollowing listed patents are illustrative of prior art pick-up andtransport equipment designed specifically for handling large cylindricalbales:

U.S. Pat. No. Patentee

U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,666 Pfremmer

U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,598 Schurz

U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,794 Shaw

U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,607 Gibson

U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,041 Hostetler

U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,193 Warburton et al

U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,981 Pronovost et al

U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,259 Flaskey

This method, however has serious problems of wastage since the cattlefoul the hay and use it for bedding. More recently the trend has beentoward the formation of large rectangular or square cross section balesin the neighborhood of 8 feet in length and having a cross section of upto 4×4 feet known as “big bales”. Large bales of this category may weighin the neighborhood of 1000 to 2000 pounds per bale, are cumbersome andcreate a serious handling problem. Such bales normally require some formof mechanized equipment for pickup, transport, stacking and ultimatelydistributing and feeding. The following listed patents are illustrativeof prior art pick-up and transport equipment designed specifically forhandling large rectangular bales:

U.S. Pat. No. Patentee

U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,111 Callahan

U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,461 Tilley

U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,046 Warburton

Although satisfactory equipment has been developed for unloading andfield distribution of layered round bales by simply unrolling, the needexists for an efficient mechanism for loading, transporting andunloading for distribution and feeding of large square or rectangularbales. Most existing equipment is concerned only with field pick-up andstacking involving such methods as robotic lifting arms, tilt beds suchas shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,229 and 5,542,803 to Tilley et al andDriggs respectively. These devices are not adapted for loading,transporting and feeding from a moving vehicle. Likewise common methodsinvolving front end loaders and fork lifts require several pieces ofequipment and operators and are thus uneconomical and time consuming.The following listed patents are illustrative of prior art pick-up andtransport devices of the front end loader and elevator or fork-lift typeequipment:

U.S. Pat. No. Patentee

U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,532 Blair

U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,666 Chain et al

U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,596 Fetter

U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,413 Grosz et al

U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,803 Driggs

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a truck or other vehicle or trailerbed mounted mechanism and system for picking up a plurality of big balesof the rectangular type from a stack and loading the series of balesonto a mobile flatbed to be transported to a pasture or a range forinstance where the bales are to be broken and distributed for feeding.Alternatively the bales may, of course, be moved from a field stack to astacking/storage area for later pick-up and distribution.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention a flatbed vehicle suchas a motor truck or trailer is provided with a flatbed surface which ismounted for pivotal movement from a generally horizontal positionthrough at least a 90° arc to a generally vertical position. A firstlongitudinally extending endless conveyor such as parallel chains orbelts or other mechanism for moving articles longitudinally on top ofthe bed is mounted beneath the surface of the bed leaving the flat bedclear except for the movable conveyor elements. A second transverse orcross-bed conveyor, which may be of the same general type, is locatedforwardly of the longitudinal conveyor adjacent the front end of theflatbed. The cross-bed conveyor mechanism will also be located below thesurface of the bed in the same manner as described for the longitudinalconveyor, again leaving the generally flat surface of the bed free forsupporting articles to be transported. This type of arrangement allowsarticles, such as the large rectangular bales previously described, tobe placed on the surface of the flatbed and moved forwardly by operationof the longitudinal conveyor to a position overlying the cross-bedconveyor for lateral discharge and distribution as will presently bedescribed. The flatbed is thus equipped, in the horizontal position, tosupport and discharge large bales of hay off to one side of the bed forpasture or range feeding. In the vertical position the flat bed may bepositioned against a vertical stack of a plurality of large bales forloading. For this purpose the opposite lateral edges of the flatbed areprovided with a plurality of tine structures which are designed to beselectively engaged with the sides of the several large bales in thevertical stack while the flatbed is in the vertical position. The tinesare carried on rotatable shafts and are movable through an arc from aposition below the bed surface, via suitable openings in the bedsurface, to the bale engaging position above the bed surface. Therotatable tine shafts as well as the mounting and operating means forthe shafts are located below the bed surface, again allowing for a freeunobstructed bed surface. This mode of operation allows the bed to bemoved into the vertical position, backed up against a vertical stack ofa plurality of large bales, the tines actuated to engage the bales andthen the bed lowered to the horizontal position for transporting thebales on the flatbed surface.

The truck bed may be of sufficient length to have an adequate overhangin back of the rear wheels of the truck so that the bed, in the verticalposition, will have its rear edge sufficiently close to ground level soas to engage the bottom bale in the stack. Alternatively, with smallertrucks having shorter beds, a pivotally mounted bed extension may beprovided so as to be mechanically linked with the bed in the verticalposition of the bed. This arrangement will also allow the flat bed to beprovided with a fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch when used for otherpurposes. The pivoted bed extension will normally be disposed in avertical position at the end of the flatbed and, when the flatbed ismoved to a vertical position, the extension may be selectively coupledto the vertical bed and move along with the vertical bed to thehorizontal position for loading a stack of bales. The raising andlowering of the truck bed, operation of both the longitudinal andcross-bed conveyors as well as actuation of the bale engaging tines maybe accomplished by hydraulic motor means with provision for remotecontrols from either inside or outside of the cab. It will beunderstood, of course, that alternate motor means such as pneumatic orelectrical motors may be substituted for the hydraulic motor means.

According to a second embodiment, a flatbed vehicle such as a motortruck or trailer is provided with laterally movable tines carried onlongitudinal rails or on a frame, the rails or frame being pivoted forvertical movement from a substantially horizontal position to a verticalposition. The laterally movable rails are equipped with tine structuresdesigned to selectively engage the sides of several large bales in avertical stack. The laterally movable rails are mounted for pivotalmovement about the horizontal axis such that the distal ends of the tinestructures extend beyond the truck bed, positioning the tines to engageeach bale of a series of vertically stacked bales resting on the ground.In addition to the longitudinally extending rails, a longitudinallyextending conveyor is mounted so as to pivot from the horizontal to thevertical position along with the laterally movable gripping rails. Thelongitudinal conveyor also extends beyond the end of the vehicle bed soas to underlie at least a substantial portion of the bottom most bale inthe stack being lifted. The movement of the rails and the conveyor fromthe horizontal position atop the vehicle bed to the vertical positionand the lateral movement of the rails for engaging the stack of largebales is remotely controlled by hydraulic means. Once engaged, thegripped bales, rails and conveyor are returned to the horizontalposition atop the truck bed for transport.

A transverse or cross-bed conveyor is positioned at truck bed levelforward of the longitudinal conveyor for side unloading of the balesfrom the truck bed. Once the gripped bales are moved to the horizontalposition, the side rails and gripping tines are laterally disengaged,allowing the longitudinal conveyor to move the bales forward on thetruck bed with the forward most bale being moved to a position atop thecross-bed conveyor. Individually operated pushing arms are carried bythe laterally movable rail structure and serve to complete the forwardmovement of the bales onto the cross-bed conveyor and to align the balesfor unloading. Once the forward most bale is in position for unloadingand distribution, the baling ties are cut and the cross-bed conveyor isselectively operated to move the bale toward the side edge of the truckfor unloading as the truck is moved forward. The hay may thus bedistributed in spaced piles along the course of travel as it flakes offover the side of the truck bed as the bale is moved transversely. Theentire combination of operations described may be accomplished by asingle operator and a single vehicle utilizing hydraulics controlledfrom either the cab of the vehicle or remotely therefrom.

According to another form of the invention, the laterally movable railsare carried by a cross beam at the end of the truck bed with thelongitudinal conveyor being detachably mounted on the same cross beamintermediate the rails. In this embodiment, the bale gripping tines arecarried on longitudinally extending beams demountably attached to therails. For storage purposes, the central conveyor and the tine carryingbeams may be detached from the side rails and the cross bar respectivelyand pivoted together to form an A-frame which may be readily reconnectedfor its intended use.

In another embodiment, adapted mainly for larger trucks, thelongitudinal conveyor, laterally moving rails and bale engaging beamsmay be mounted on a single pivot axis at the end of the truck bed. Theunitary structure may then be raised and lowered by means of a single ormultiple hydraulic rams pivotally connected between the bottom of thepivoted frame structure and the truck chassis. With this arrangement, upto six 8 foot long 32×32 and 32×48 inch bales or four 45×50 inch balesmay be carried on a single bed.

In yet another embodiment, a tilt frame structure mounting the conveyor,side rails and bale engaging tines may be detachably mounted as a unitto the rear end of a truck or in the alternative dismounted and carriedby such means as a front end loader or forklift. Instead of utilizingthe laterally movable rails described, the gripping tines may bemounted, one or more on each side of the frame, and connected forgripping movement by a double acting cylinder(s) also carried on thetilt frame. The demountable tilt frame may be either pivoted to the endof the truck bed and raised and lowered by a pivotally mounted hydraulicram extending between the frame and the truck chassis or on a cross beamwhich is itself rotatable around a transverse axis by appropriatelinkage and hydraulic rams.

In certain situations, such as during freezing weather, when the baledoes not naturally flake off, a bale cut-off device may be provided inconjunction with the cross-bed conveyor for more effective distributionsuch as range feeding. A sickle-bar, rotary knife, hydraulic ram shearor other cut-off device may be used to selectively cut off sections ofthe bale protruding from the truck bed edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the truck-mounted loading and unloadingsystem with the flatbed in the horizontal hauling position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system with the flatbed in thevertical bale engaging position;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the flatbed in the verticalposition with the bale engaging tines extending above the level of thetruck bed;

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the sequence of steps involved in engaging avertical stack of bales and moving the stack to the horizontal haulingposition atop the flatbed;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, with parts removed, showing thelongitudinal and cross-bed conveyor mechanisms and tine mounting shaftsbeneath the level of the truck flatbed;

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective of a conveyor lug taken at the circledarea in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view showing the mounting of the tineshafts and the means for connecting a pivotally mounted bled extensionto the truck bed in the vertical position;

FIG. 10 is schematic showing a typical hydraulic control system foroperating the various components of the system;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a truck-mounted loading and unloadingsystem according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the FIG. 11 embodiment showing thelongitudinal conveyor and laterally moving bale gripping structure inthe vertical position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the loading mechanism of the FIG. 11embodiment in the vertical gripping position;

FIG. 14 is a partial end elevational view of the FIG. 11 embodiment withparts broken away to show the operation of the laterally moving railsand the conveyor system;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cross-bed conveyor system of theFIG. 11 embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the loading mechanism of the FIG.11 embodiment in the vertical position;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the loading mechanism of the FIG.11 embodiment in the horizontal loaded position;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the FIG. 11 embodiment showing the loadedbales in position on the truck bed;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a sickle bar cut-off mechanism mountedon a truck bed;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the cut-offmechanism utilizing a rotatable knife;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the cut-offmechanism utilizing a ram shear;

FIG. 22 is a schematic side elevational view showing the demountedconveyor and tine carrying beam members of the FIG. 11 embodimentforming an A-frame for storage;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are side elevational schematic views illustrating athird embodiment of the loading and unloading system wherein theconveyor and laterally movable gripping rails and tine beams are mountedon a flatbed truck with an hydraulic ram connected between the frameunit and the truck chassis for moving the frame unit from the horizontalto the vertical position; and

FIGS. 25 and 26 are side elevational schematic views illustrating balegripping mechanisms designed for alternative connection to the rear endof a truck bed and a tractor-like vehicle such as a forklift or a frontend loader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a loading, transporting and unloading systemaccording to the present invention as mounted on a flatbed truck whichincludes the usual cab section 1, chassis frame 2 and ground supportwheels 3. Although the present embodiment is illustrated utilizing aparticular flatbed truck, it will be understood that the wheeled vehiclemay be of any design or, in the alternative, may comprise a trailerhaving a wheel supported chassis or frame. In the present embodiment,the truck frame 2 mounts a load carrying flatbed indicated generally at4 with a load supporting surface 6 usually constructed from steelplating. Typically, the bed 6 will be provided with side paneling 7 andend panels 8, either integral with the bed or connected by welding orthe like. The bed 6 may be equipped with any known configuration ofstructural bracing including the longitudinally extending beams 11 asshown in FIG. 9. The beams 11 may be secured to the underside of the bedstructure and will provide a transverse pivotal connection at the rearof the bed and truck chassis for raising and lowering the bed structure4 as will presently be described. The bed 4 is further provided with alongitudinally extending endless chain conveyor system indicatedgenerally at 12 and a similar endless chain cross-bed conveyor indicatedgenerally at 13. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the longitudinally extendingconveyor system 12 runs from a point adjacent the rear edge of the bed 6forwardly to the cross-bed conveyor 13. The conveyor 13 extends adjacentthe front end of the bed and over the substantial width of the bed.

Referring to FIG. 9, the chassis frame 2 includes the parallel chassisbeams 14 and 16 which are structurally connected to the truck frame. Thebeams 14 and 16 include upstanding flanges, only one of which is shownat 17 in FIG. 9, for mounting a pivot pin 18 which connects the chassisbeams to the rear end pivot section 19 of the longitudinal bed beams 11.It will be understood that the hydraulically driven raising and loweringlinkage unit 21 may be any known hydraulic lift mechanisms for raisingand lowering truck beds. The unit 21 will include the main lift cylinder22, the operation of which raises and lowers the flatbed 4 from thehorizontal to the vertical position as shown in a manner well known inthe art.

Referring to FIG. 7, the longitudinal conveyor system 12 includes theparallel conveyor chains 22 and 23 located beneath the surface of thebed 6 with their upper runs being exposed through associated elongatedopenings 24 and 26 respectively in the bed surface 6. Each of the chains22 and 23 will include spaced lug structures 27, shown in detail in FIG.8, for engaging the hay bales for the purpose of moving the balesforwardly on the bed 6 toward the side distribution cross-bed conveyor13 in a manner to be described. The conveyor chains 22 and 23 in thepresent embodiment are housed within the channels 11 carried on theunderside of the bed 6 and are driven by means of the hydraulic motor 28also mounted on a suitable support structure beneath the bed 6. Bothchains 22 and 23 are trained about suitable idler sprockets on forwardidler shaft 29 and about drive sprockets carried on the rear drive shaft31 with the drive shaft 31 being driven by means of the drive chain 32connected to the hydraulic motor; 28 output shaft. The hydraulic motor28 is preferably a reversible hydraulic motor allowing the conveyorchain to be driven in either direction depending on the needs of theoperator.

FIG. 7 also illustrates the details of the cross-bed conveyor system 13.This system includes two parallel conveyor chains 32 and 33 which aremounted beneath the surface of the bed 6 with their upper runs beingexposed through suitable elongated openings 34 and 36 respectively inthe bed 6. In the embodiment illustrated, the chains 32 and 33 will beequipped with cross flights 37 as shown in FIG. 7 in the form of angleirons or the like which serve to engage the bale bottom to move itlaterally off the side of the bed. Other means such as lugs or the likemay also be used. The chains 32 and 33 are trained about suitablesprockets on the idler shaft 38 and trained about drive sprocketslocated on the drive shaft 39 at the opposite side of the bed. Theconveyor system 13 may be driven by the reversible hydraulic motor 41which is drivingly connected to the shaft 19 via the drive chain 42.Sufficient clearance, by means of openings 43 in the bed 6, will beprovided at each end of the conveyor system 13 to allow for passage ofthe flights 37 and the conveyor chains may be driven in either directionas desired by the operator. As thus far described, with individual andseparate controls for the hydraulically driven longitudinal conveyorsystem and the cross-bed conveyor system, large rectangular objects suchas hay bales carried on the bed in the horizontal position may be movedforwardly and consecutively placed on the across-bed conveyor 13 fordischarge to one side or the other of the bed.

As previously explained, the bed 6 is designed to be lifted from thehorizontal position shown in FIG. 1 through at least a 90° angle bymeans of the lift system 21 to a vertical position such as shown inFIGS. 2-5. In this position the surfaces of a plurality of largerectangular hay bales in a vertical stack may be engaged as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. In order to secure the stack of bales to the vertical bedsurface during loading, the bed 6 is provided with a plurality of baleengaging tines along each lateral edge or side area as shown mostclearly in FIGS. 1-3 and 9. For this purpose, each side of the bed isprovided with a plurality of spaced openings 44 along the length of theconveyor chains 22 and 23. Each opening 44 is in the shape of anelongated rectangle so as to allow passage of an associated tinestructure 46, which is movable from a position beneath the surface ofthe bed 6 to a bale engaging position above the bed surface as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 7 and 9, each tineincludes a bale engaging tip 47 and a curved shank 48 which is fixed onthe associated rotatable shaft 43 mounted beneath the bed as shown inFIG. 7. As will be clear from the illustration in FIG. 7, rotation ofthe two parallel shafts 49 pivots the bale engaging tine structures 46from a position beneath the bed 6 through the openings 44 and into thebale engaging position shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. The shafts 49 will bemounted in any suitable bearing supports beneath the bed 6 and will beoperated by means of hydraulic cylinders 51 and 52 respectively. Thehydraulic rams 51 and 52 are operatively connected through a linkage 53for rotating the shafts 49 so as to actuate the bale engaging tines 46.The hydraulic rams 51 and 52 may be either individually actuated oroperated under a single control for engaging a stack of bales.

The illustrated embodiment of the flatbed truck vehicle is of the typewherein the bed overhang is of such dimensions as to provide for themounting of a fifth wheel or a gooseneck trailer hitch. In suchinstances the overhang of the bed 6 is not sufficient to allow the lowerend of the bed to effectively engage the bottom bale on the stack withthe bed in the vertical position. In order to compensate for this and toretain the capability of mounting a gooseneck trailer hitch, aselectively engagable conveyor and bale engaging tine structure orextension 53 is mounted on the rear end of the bed. The structure 53comprises a conveyor frame including the laterally spaced channel irons54 and 56 which are connected by a cross beam 57 and have their upperends supported on the drive shaft 31 of the longitudinal conveyor system12. This relationship is shown in FIG. 9 and it will be understood thatthe channel irons 54 and 56 are mounted on suitable bearings (not shown)on the shaft 31 for free rotation. Each distal end of the shaft 31 isprovided with a drive sprocket 58 which rotates with the shaft 31 forthe purpose of providing a simultaneous drive to the conveyor chains 59and 61 of the extension 53. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, thebed 6 is provided with elongated openings in its rear edge toaccommodate the conveyor chains 59 and 61 when the bed is moved to thevertical or stack engaging position. With the bed in the verticalposition, the extension 53 is locked into alignment with the verticalbed by means of the steel slide bars 62, one of which is shown in FIG.9. The slide bars 62 will normally be contained in the channel 63 weldedor otherwise firmly attached to the bed structure such as at the beamsor channels 11 as shown in FIG. 9. With the bed in the verticalposition, the pin 64 is removed allowing the slide bar 62 to dropagainst the stop 66 locking the extension 53 in line with the truck bedand the conveyor system 12.

The channel irons 54 and 56 are each provided with laterally extendingmounting plates 67 attached thereto by welding or the like for mountingbearing blocks 68 for rotatably supporting the shaft 69. With the bed inthe vertical position, the shaft 69 will be in alignment with the tinemounting shaft 49 of the bed and may be rotatably coupled thereto bymeans of a suitable coupling sleeve 71. The sleeve 71 may be manuallylocked in place by any suitable locking pin arrangement such asillustrated in FIG. 9. The shaft 69 is thus locked to the shaft 49 forrotational movement therewith. Each shaft 69 is provided with two spacedbale engaging tines 72 and 73 which may be in all respects identical tothe tine structure 46 previously described. With the shafts 69 and 49coupled, the tines on the extension 53 operate in unison with the tineson the bed 6 and serve to engage the bottom bale as shown in FIGS. 5 and6 during the pick-up process. Although the illustrated embodimentutilizes manual means for coupling the conveyor and tine shafts of theextension 53 to the truck bed conveyor system and tine shafts, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that remotely controlled motormeans may be adapted for accomplishing the connection.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hydraulic controls foroperating the various components of the loading, transport and unloadingsequence of the system. With the truck bed in the initial horizontalposition as shown in FIG. 1, the lift cylinder 22 will be actuated toraise the bed 6 to the vertical position shown in FIG. 2. The conveyorsystem and bale engaging tine shaft of the extension 5, are then coupledto the truck bed as previously described. The truck is then backed upagainst the stack of bales as illustrated in FIG. 4 and the cylinders 51and 52 are actuated to move the tines 46, 72 and 73 into engagement withthe sides of the bales as illustrated in FIG. 5. Once the tines areengaged, the cylinder 22 is actuated to move the bed 6 to the horizontalposition illustrated in FIG. 6. If the bales are to be moved to astacking or storage location the tines may remain engaged and theprocess steps reversed in order to raise the bed and deposit the stackof bales. If the bales are to be distributed off the side of the bed forpasture feeding, for instance, the cylinders 51 and 52 are retracted tolower the bale engaging tines and the bales are then free to be conveyedon the surface of the bed 6. The front end bale 74 or top bale on thestack at this time will be resting on top of the cross-bed conveyor 13ready for unloading. Once the bale ties are broken, the cross-bedconveyor motor 411 may be actuated to move the bale laterally which willdrop off the edge of the bed in flakes or layers as the truck is movedforwardly to distribute the hay in spaced piles. Once the bale 74 hasbeen unloaded, the conveyor motor 48 for the conveyor 12 is actuated tomove the next successive bale forward to overlie the cross-bed conveyor13 and the process is repeated. If it is desired to utilize the flatbedtruck for other purposes, the empty bed will be raised to the verticalposition and the slide bar 62 returned to its retracted position. Theshaft 69 is then uncoupled from the shaft 49 by sliding the connector 71out of engagement thus allowing the extension 52 to remain in thevertical position as shown in FIG. 1 when the bed 6 is moved, byoperation of the cylinder 22, to the horizontal position as shown inFIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 11-18 and 22, a second embodiment of the loading,transport and unloading system of the present invention is illustratedwhich is designed to be mounted on a motorized wheeled vehicle such as aflatbed truck having ground wheels 101, cab section 102 and a horizontalbed 103. As will presently be described, the bed structure will be of aspecialized design so as to include in this embodiment, a hydraulicallyoperated pivotally mounted cross beam 104 on the rear edge thereof forraising and lowering bale engaging beams 106, and longitudinal conveyorindicated generally at 107, about a transverse horizontal axis. Across-bed conveyor 108 is located at the forward end of the bed.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 12-14, the cross beam 104 may comprise ahollow channel extending substantially the width of the truck bed 103and located on the back edge thereof. The channel has a bottom wall 109provided with spaced yokes 111 which are pivotally connected to theassociated bracket extensions 112 welded or otherwise connected to theback face of the bed 103 as shown in FIG. 13. This pivotal relationshipallows the beam 104 to pivot about a horizontal axis from its uprightposition shown in FIG. 11 through at least 90° to the position shown inFIGS. 12 and 13. Any form of operating linkage, indicated generally at113 in FIG. 13, connected to a conventional hydraulic ram (not shown)beneath the bed 103 may be used to pivot the cross beam through the 90°plus angle. Such linkages are known in the art, one such linkage beingshown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,041 to Hostetler.

As will be noted in FIGS. 13 and 14, the ends of the hollow beam 104 areopen and the top wall 114 thereof opposite the wall 109 has cutaway endsections 116 and 117 respectively which allow for lateral movement ofmounting brackets 118 and 119 respectively for a purpose to bedescribed. The brackets 118 and 119 are each connected to a respectivehydraulic ram, one ram only being shown at 121 in FIG. 14. Theassociated bracket may be connected directly to the piston rod 122 ofthe ram 121 as illustrated in FIG. 14. Each of the end brackets 118 and119 is rigidly connected to an elongated rail 123 and 124 respectivelywith each of the rails extending forwardly from the brackets when in thehorizontal position as shown in FIGS. 11, 17 and 18. These rails extendsubstantially vertically when the cross beam 104 is pivoted through anapproximate 90° arc as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Additionally, byoperation of the two rams 121 on either side of the cross beam 104, therails 123 and 124 may be selectively moved inwardly and outwardly inlateral motion.

Elongated gripping beams 106 are carried on the rails 123 and 124 andmay be rigidly connected thereto by bolting or welding so as to be rigidwith the rails. The beams 106 extend rearwardly beyond the ends of theassociated rails 123 and 124 to overhang the rear end of the truck bed.With this structure, when the rails 123 and 124 are in the verticalposition, the bottom ends of the beams 106 are closely adjacent groundlevel for the purpose of engaging the bottom most bale in a verticalstack as illustrated. Each beam 106 includes a longitudinally extendingflange 126 for the purpose of mounting a plurality of bale engagingtines 127 with each tine being clamped to an associated bracket 128carried by the flanges 106. Any suitable means such as a clamping bolt129 shown in FIG. 14 may be used to hold the tines in position.

Referring to FIG. 14, the tines 127 are so configured as to include anoutwardly curved portion 131, and inwardly directed arm 132 and a baleengaging point 133 designed to pierce the surface of the bale. With thisconfiguration, and lateral movement of the rails 123 and 124, asillustrated in FIG. 14, the tines may be caused to engage and penetratethe bale surface to effectively hold the bales against the beams 106 andthe longitudinal conveyor presently to be described. As shown in thepreferred embodiment, tines 127 may be grouped in pairs so as to engageeach hay bale 134.

Referring to FIG. 12, each of the beam structures 106 is provided withan independently controllable bale carrier and push arm assemblyindicated generally at 136. Each assembly 136 includes a hydraulic ram137 fixed to the rear end of the beam 106 beneath the flange 126 asshown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The ram may be welded or bolted in place onthe beam 106 with its extended piston rod 138 passing through and guidedby the end bracket 128 on the opposite end of the beam and functioningas a carrier/pusher arm. The outer ends of the carrier/pusher arms 138are identical and are fitted with bale aligning end caps 139 aspresently to be described. As may be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, thecarrier arms 138 form extensions of the beams 106 which reach beyond theforward ends of the conveyor 107 and rails 123 and 124. With thisarrangement, a fourth bale 141 may be lowered onto the truck bed andpositioned atop the cross bed conveyor 108. With the bales in thehorizontal position as shown in FIG. 11, the push rods 138 are withdrawnallowing the bale 141 to rest on top of the cross bed conveyor 108 readyfor side unloading. In the event that the bale 141, or any subsequentbales 134, require a forward push or aligning with the cross conveyor108, the push rods 138 may be operated independently and, via the endcaps 139, maneuver and align the bale.

The longitudinal conveyor 107 includes parallel side rails 142 which maybe rigidly joined at their forward ends by the cross bar 143 and anintermediate rigid cross bar 144. Each conveyor side rail is welded orotherwise rigidly connected to the top surface 114 of the cross beam 104as illustrated in FIG. 14. The conveyor frame thus pivots from thehorizontal to the vertical position along with rails 123 and 124. Therear end of the conveyor side rails 142 extend coextensively with thebale engaging beams 106 so as to underlie a substantial portion of abottom bale 134 in a vertical stack as indicated in FIGS. 12 and 13. Thelongitudinal conveyor is an endless chain type conveyor having laterallyspaced lug chains 146 extending along the inside surfaces of the siderails 142. Each chain 146 is trained about a respective drive sprocketcarried by a rotatable cross shaft 147 having its ends journaled forrotation by suitable bearings 148 mounted in the rail 142. The oppositeends of the lug chains 146 may be trained about suitable idler sprockets149 carried at the opposite ends of the associated side rails. The lugchains 146 are driven by means of a rotary hydraulic motor 151 mountedon the cross beam 104 through drive gears 152 and 153 carried by themotor 151 and the drive shaft 147 respectively. Flexible hydraulic lines154 and 156 will allow for relative movement between motor 151 and thetruck bed.

The cross bed conveyor 108 comprises an endless chain 157 extendingsubstantially the width of the truck bed 103 at the forward end thereof.The chain 157 may be driven by any suitable means such as a hydraulic orelectric motor 158 located beneath the bed surface with the chain 157operating at or below bed surface level so as to avoid any obstructionfor the movement of bales thereover. The chain 157 mounts an upstandingpaddle or pusher plate 159 attached to a lug plate pulled across the bedby the chain 157. The pusher plate may be moved the full width of thetruck bed with limit switches or the like (not shown) preventing overtravel. The motor 158 will be controlled from the cab or from a remotelocation to advance the bale in incremental motion if desired toward theedge of the truck bed for distribution. As aforementioned, the bale ismoved forward and aligned by pusher bars 138 with the truck head board161 being a backstop for the end bale.

According to the preferred embodiment, a sickle-bar bale cut-off device,indicated generally at 162, is located on the discharge side of thetruck bed adjacent the headboard 161. The cut-off device, illustrated indetail in FIG. 19, includes an upstanding conventional sickle-bar 163having reciprocating cutter teeth designed to cut through the end of aprotruding hay bale. The sickle-bar 163 is mounted on a traveling baseor support block 164 which is guided for longitudinal movement in thedirection of the arrows in FIG. 19 by means of the channel iron 166fixed to the side edge of the bed 103 and provided with a guide slot 167in its upper surface. The base block 164 is connected for reciprocationby the piston rod 168 of the hydraulic cylinder 169 so as to advance andretract the sickle-bar across the bale end. The cylinder 169 may bemounted in fixed position on the side edge of the bed 103. Thesickle-bar 163 may be powered by a remotely controlled hydraulic motor171 in a well known manner. Since hay bale 134 as shown in FIG. 19 willnormally flake off in regular increments as it is advanced over the edgeof the truck bed, the sickle-bar cut-off device 162 will only benecessary in those cases when, for some reason such as freezingtemperatures, the bale does not normally separate into flakes. Theoperator of the vehicle may observe the bale through the truck rearviewmirror and simply operate the sickle-bar cut-off when necessary.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrates the normal sequence of operations involved inloading a plurality vertically stacked bales, and conveying the balesforwardly and transversely on the vehicle bed for range or pasturefeeding by a single vehicle and operator. As shown in FIG. 16, thepivoted cross beam 104 will initially be operated to pivot the laterallymovable rails 123, 124, longitudinal conveyor 107 and bale engagingbeams 106 to the vertical position. The rails 123 and 124 may then bemoved laterally outwardly to allow the tines 127 to clear the sides ofthe bales 134. Also the bale carrier/push arms 138 are advanced to theextended position across a substantial portion of the top bale 141. Therails 123 and 124 are then drawn inwardly by the rams 121 to cause thetines 127 to penetrate the hay bales. Once the bales are thus engaged,the cross beam 104 is rotated through approximately 90° to lower thestack of bales to the horizontal position on top of bed 103 as shown inFIG. 17. The pusher plate 159 will, of course, be located on the outsideedge of the truck bed while the bales are being lowered.

With the bales in place on the truck bed, the hydraulic cylinders 137may be actuated to withdraw the arms 138, allowing the forward most bale141 to rest directly on the truck bed overlying the chain 157 asillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. The forward bale may then be moved offof the bed transversely by selective operation of the motor 158 andmovement of the pusher plate 159. As previously described, once the baleties have been removed from the bale, the hay will normally drop off inregular clumps or flakes as the bale end passes over the edge of thebed. If this does not occur, the operator actuates the hydrauliccylinder 169, and energizes the sickle-bar drive motor 171 causing thesickle-bar 163 to traverse the bale to perform the cut-off function asdescribed. With the ability to operate the push plate 159 by selectedincremental movements as the truck progresses across a field, the haymay be discharged in spaced piles ideal for cattle feeding and avoidingthe waste problem experienced with unrolling a round bale. As the frontbale becomes totally discharged, the pusher plate 159 will be returnedto the position shown in FIG. 18 and the conveyor 107 actuated to movethe next successive bale 134 to the forward position atop the cross bedconveyor. With each successive bale, each push arm 138 may be actuatedindependently to complete the forward movement and alignment of thesuccessive bales.

FIG. 20 illustrates a second embodiment of the bale cut-off device whichcomprises an upstanding rotary cut-off blade 172 mounted on the truckbed 103 at the forward end of the bed on the discharge side of the crossbed conveyor 108. The blade 172 may be of any desired configuration,normally including a forward cutting edge 173 designed to contact andremove a segment of the hay bale extending over the edge of the bed 103.The blade 172 will be mounted on a rotary shaft 174 driven by motormeans (not shown) carried beneath the bed 103 in a conventional manner.The motor driven shaft 174 will rotate the knife 172 throughapproximately 90° arc: in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 20to accomplish the cut-off function. The advancement and discharge of thebale will be accomplished as previously described.

FIG. 21 illustrates still another embodiment of bale cut-off device inthe form of a ram shear. The device comprises a hydraulic cylinder 176mounted on the discharge side of the forward end of the truck bed. Theram 176 may be mounted at an angle, the top end of the cylinder beingclosely adjacent the edge of the bale which has been advanced to thedischarge position overhanging the truck bed. Ram 176 has a piston rodin the form of a plunger 177 directed at an approximate 45° angle. Whenthe plunger 177 is actuated, as shown schematically in FIG. 21, the balewill be severed sufficiently to cause separation of the overhangingsegment of the bale. The advancing and discharging of the bale may beotherwise accomplished as previously described.

FIG. 22 illustrates a method whereby the longitudinal conveyor frame 107and the bale engaging beams 106 with their attached tines may be removedfrom the truck bed for storage purposes and to clear the bed forpossible other use. With this arrangement, the procedure would be toraise the side rails 123, 124, longitudinal conveyor 107 and beams 106to a vertical position by rotation of the cross beam 104. The forwardends of the conveyor side rails 142 and the forward ends of the beams106 would be connected by a suitable cross bar 178 to pivotally linkthese members. The conveyor side rails 142 would then be disconnectedfrom the cross bar 104, allowing the conveyor frame 107 to pivotoutwardly away from the cross beam. The two beams 106 would then bedisconnected from the respective rails 123 and 124 and dropped to theground forming an A-frame as illustrated in FIG. 22. A stabilizingconnector 179 would then be connected between the conveyor rails 142 andthe beams 106 to stabilize the A-frame structure. The rails 123 and 124could then be returned to the horizontal position on top of the flat bedallowing the bed to be put to an alternative use.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an embodiment of the present system designedfor a large capacity flat bed vehicle capable of carrying, for instance,eight 32×48 inch bales or four eight foot long 45×50 inch bales. Theembodiment shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 is designed to load and dischargesix eight foot long 32×48 inch bales from the extended flat bed 181. Inthis embodiment, it will be understood that the bale gripping beams,laterally adjustable rails 123, 124 as well as the longitudinal conveyor107 will function in a manner described relative to FIGS. 11-18embodiment and will all be connected to a cross beam 104 a pivotallyconnected to the rear end of the truck bed 181. The bale engaging beamsare designated at 106 a in FIGS. 23 and 24 with the tines beingindicated at 127 a. The tine placement will be according to thediscussion of the previous embodiment. Likewise carrier/pusher arms 138a will be connected to the beams 106 a in a manner previously described.In this embodiment, the longitudinal conveyor, laterally movable rails123, 124 and the beams 106 a are raised and lowered about a horizontalaxis provided by cross bar 104 a by means of a compound hydraulic ram182 as shown which is pivotally connected between the conveyor and beamframe and the chassis or bed 181 of the truck. As indicated, the ram 182will move the frame from the horizontal position shown in FIG. 23 to thebale pickup position shown in FIG. 24 and return the bales to the bed ofthe truck with the forward most bale 183 positioned on a cross bedconveyor as previously described. The carrier/push arms 138 a and thecross bed conveyor will function in the same manner described relativeto the previous embodiments. In addition to the hay bale loading andunloading system, provision may be made for mounting a grain feederabove the truck bed, indicated schematically at 184, to feed grainsimultaneously with the discharged hay.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein aunitary frame structure 186 may be assembled to include a centrallongitudinal conveyor, laterally movable side rails and bale engagingbeams in the manner described for the FIGS. 23, 24 embodiment includingcarrier/push arms 138 b for attachment to a smaller size wheeledvehicle. In this embodiment the frame 186 may be removed and mounted onan alternative vehicle such as front end loader. The frame 186 in theembodiment of FIG. 25 is raised and lowered by a separate hydraulic ram187 pivotally connected between the truck chassis and the frame asdescribed relative to the FIGS. 23, 24 embodiment. In the alternative,as shown in FIG. 26, the frame 186 may be mounted on a rotatable crossbeam 104 b as described relative to the FIGS. 11-18 embodiment.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedherein it is to be understood that the foregoing description andaccompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration andexample. Variations in design and arrangement of parts may be madewithout departure from the scope and spirit of the present invention.For example, electrical or pneumatic motor means or manual operatedmeans may be substituted for the various hydraulic motor means describedor a combination of electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic motor means andmanual operation may be utilized to perform the various operationsdescribed. Similarly, in its broadest scope, the invention alsocontemplates structural modifications whereby the longitudinal conveyormay be maintained in the horizontal position while the bale stack isbeing engaged and moved to the horizontal position. Likewise, thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to any particular typeof motor vehicle, trailer or other conveyance. Changes in form of theseveral parts, substitution of equivalent elements and arrangement ofparts which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are alsocontemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is tobe limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of loading and transporting large balesof a size generally incapable of being handled and maneuvered by asingle person comprising the steps of; moving a vehicle-mounted supportapparatus to a substantially vertical position, moving thevertically-disposed support apparatus against a vertical stack of aplurality of bales at a first location, engaging said bales withvertically spaced tine structures carried on said support apparatus inthe vertical position to hold the bales thereagainst, said tinestructures engaging a plurality of said vertically stacked bales, movingsaid support apparatus to a generally horizontal position resting onsaid vehicle, and transporting said bales in said horizontal position onsaid vehicle.
 2. The method according to claim 1 including the furthersteps of; releasing said tine structures when the bales are in saidhorizontal position, then conveying said bales forwardly on saidvehicle, and then conveying consecutive bales in a lateral direction offthe vehicle as the vehicle is moved forwardly.
 3. The method of claim 1including the further steps of; transporting said bales to a secondlocation and reversing said method steps to restack said bales.
 4. Amethod of loading onto a transport vehicle and transporting large balesof a size generally incapable of being handled and maneuvered by asingle person comprising the steps of; moving a vehicle-mounted balesupport apparatus to a substantially vertical position, moving thevertically-positioned support apparatus against a substantially verticalstack of a plurality of bales, engaging a plurality of verticallysuccessive ones of said bales with bale engaging structures carried onsaid support apparatus to hold the bales thereagainst, moving saidsupport apparatus to a generally horizontal position resting on saidvehicle, and transporting-said bales in the horizontal-position-on saidvehicle.
 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said bale engagingstructures comprise vertically spaced tine structures and means toengage said tine structures into the peripheral edge surfaces of saidbales.
 6. The method according to claim 4 wherein said vertical stack ispositioned at a first location, said method further including the stepsof; transporting said bales in the horizontal position to a secondlocation, moving said support apparatus to the vertical position, thendisengaging said bale engaging structures, and then moving said supportapparatus away from the bales to form a free standing stack.
 7. Themethod according to claim 4 including the further steps of; disengagingsaid bale engaging structures when the bales are in said horizontalposition, then moving said bales in a longitudinal direction relative tosaid support apparatus to locate successive bales in a dischargeposition, and then discharging each successive bale from said supportapparatus in a lateral direction relative thereto during transport. 8.The method according to claim 7 further including the step of breakingeach said bale into successive units during discharge so as to formspaced piles as the vehicle moves during transport.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 7 wherein said bale engaging structures comprise tinestructures and means to engage said tine structures in the peripheraledge surfaces of said bales.
 10. The method according to claim 9 whereinsaid bale support apparatus includes a rearward end and a forward endrelative to the forward direction of travel of said vehicle, and saidbales are moved in said longitudinal direction toward said dischargeposition located at the forward end of said bale support apparatus. 11.The method according to claim 10 wherein said bale support apparatusincludes; a first conveyor mechanism for selectively moving said balesin the longitudinal direction to the discharge position, and a secondcross-conveyor for selectively moving each successive bale laterally todischarge the same from the support apparatus.
 12. A method ofdistributing bales of livestock feed from a transport vehicle comprisingthe steps of; loading a support surface mounted on said vehicle with aplurality of bales, moving said vehicle in a given direction of travelat a feeding location, moving said bales along said support surface in alongitudinal direction relative thereto to a discharge position,discharging successive bales from said support surface in a lateraldirection at said discharge position during travel of said vehicle toallow the bales to break into discrete units to form spaced piles atsaid feeding location.
 13. The method according to claim 12 includingthe step of mechanically breaking each successive bale into discreteunits during discharge to insure separation and forming of spaced pilesat said feeding location.
 14. The method according to claim 13 whereinsaid bales are discharged from said support surface in incrementalmovement.
 15. The method according to claim 12 including the step ofmoving a vertical pile of said bales from a vertically stackedarrangement to a horizontal position on said support surface.
 16. Themethod according to claim 15 including the step of mechanically breakingeach successive bale into discrete units during discharge to insureseparation and forming of spaced piles at said feeding location.
 17. Themethod according to claim 16 wherein said bales are discharged from saidsupport surface in incremental movement.
 18. A method of loading onto atransport vehicle and bales of a size incapable of being handled andmaneuvered by a single person comprising the steps of; moving avehicle-mounted bale support to a substantially vertical position,moving the vertically disposed bale support against the face of avertical stack of bales at a first location, impaling the side surfacesof said stack adjacent said face with a plurality of vertically spacedtines carried by said bale support to hold the bales thereagainst, aplurality of said vertically stacked bales being impaled by at least oneof said tines on each side surface, moving the bale support to agenerally horizontal position resting on said vehicle, and transportingsaid bales in said horizontal position.
 19. The method of claim 18including the further step of; transporting said bales to a secondlocation and reversing said method steps to restack said bales.
 20. Themethod of claim 18 including the further steps of; releasing said tineswhen the bales are in said horizontal position, then conveying saidbales forwardly on said vehicle, and then conveying consecutive bales ina lateral direction off the vehicle as the vehicle is moved forwardly.21. The method of claim 20 further including the step of breaking eachsaid bale into successive units during discharge so as to form spacedpiles as the vehicle moves.
 22. A method of loading onto a transportvehicle and transporting large bales of a size incapable of beinghandled and maneuvered by a single person comprising the steps of;moving a vehicle-mounted bale support apparatus to a substantiallyvertical position, said bale support apparatus including transverselyspaced sets of bale engaging tines, each said set including a pluralityof longitudinally spaced bale engaging tines along the extent of saidbale support apparatus, moving the vertically-disposed bale supportapparatus against the face of a vertical stack of bales at a firstlocation, engaging the side surfaces of said stack adjacent said facewith tines at vertically spaced points to hold the bales against saidbale support apparatus, a plurality of said bales being engaged with atleast one of said tines, moving the bale support apparatus to agenerally horizontal position resting on said vehicle, and transportingsaid bales in said horizontal position on said vehicle.
 23. The methodof claim 22 including the further step of; transporting said bales to asecond location and reversing said method steps to restack said bales.24. The method of claim 22 including the further steps of; releasingsaid tines when the bales are in said horizontal position, thenconveying said bales forwardly on said vehicle, and then conveyingconsecutive bales in a lateral direction off the vehicle as the vehicleis moved forwardly.
 25. The method of claim 24 including the furtherstep of breaking each said bale into successive units during dischargeso as to form spaced piles as the vehicle moves during transport.